Unseen Series: The Woman That Couldn't Wait

Summary: God has called us to trust in Him and His promises, to put aside all impatience, anxiety, and grasping for control. God will always deliver on His promises, and they will always be far greater than anything we could do on our own.

Understanding God’s Word: Know and Understand the Truth

READ Genesis 16:1-2, Genesis 17:15-19, Genesis 21:1-3

• What was the promise that God made to Abraham and Sarah? 
• How and why did Sarah and Abraham try to take things into their own hands?
• What can we learn about God through this story? 

Living and Applying God’s Word: Give a Vision of Life With God. 

• Why can we trust God’s promises for us? 
• God spoke promises to Abraham and Sarah, and He speaks promises to us as well. Where can we hear His promises for us? Can you think of any in particular? 
• What kind of outcome will we consistently see whenever we allow God to be in control of our situations vs. what kind of outcomes will we see consistently when we try to take control ourselves?

Assessing the Heart: Identify and Address Sin. 

• What is something going on in your life right now that you’re struggling to wait for, or you’re anxious and worrying over it? 
• What’s an instance in your life when you got tired of waiting on God, tried to take control yourself, and it didn’t work out the way you thought it would?
• It is easy to see ourselves in Abraham and Sarah. Sometimes we hear promises of God (i.e. He will never leave us or forsake us; He is able to change us or someone else; His grace is sufficient for us; etc.) and, instead of responding with hope and trust, we laugh in the face of God, not believing He can do what He says. What does this unbelief communicate to God? 

Turn to God: Confess and Renew Belief in God

READ Hebrews 11:11-12

• The way that Sarah and Abraham failed at trusting God's promises seems like it would disqualify them from being listed as great people of faith. When we realize how terribly we fail at trusting God’s promises, we can feel like we should be counted out, too. Yet, Sarah and Abraham are listed here in Hebrews as heroes of faith because God was able to change their hearts which helped them have genuine faith in his promises. 
  • How can God take broken and flawed people like us and change our hearts? (Hint: God changes people when they give their whole lives to Christ. Jesus promises to take us as we are, broken and flawed people, and He will change us and make us new!) (2 Corinthians 5:17) 
  • When Christ changes our hearts and helps us truly trust the promises of God, how might the people around us be affected?
  • How can the community around you help you renew your belief in God when you’re struggling to believe Him?